Sam's Custom 5-string Bass

[mica]

Here's your beauty in the pipe clamps:

Next stop is shielding the cavities and then the bookmatch to center top gets glued in place.

[oddmetersam]

Mica, thanks for the shot.  I'm salivating already!

[funkyjazzjunky]

As am I

[mica]

Front laminate out of the clamps:

The wood you selected is going to look great with this body shape.

[oddmetersam]

Thanks!  Do my eyes deceive me, or is that an elongated hour-glass shaped wood grain running down the center?  A friend reminded me that I better start practicing extra hard to do this baby justice...!

[rushfan]

I like that bass.

[mica]

A little more shapely today:

 

[funkyjazzjunky]

I see another masterpiece in the making

[oddmetersam]

God, she's so beautiful!  Can't wait to hold her.

[mica]

You need to see this with some finish:

 
Your bass has got great color and grain. I love what's happening on the upper horn. The whole thing is just looking amazing.

[jacko]

Wow! I'm always amazed at how Alembic keep surpassing themselves but this one is going to be hard to beat.
 
Graeme

[funkyjazzjunky]

Is that Coco Bolo or Bocate?

[oddmetersam]

Thanks, Graeme!  I have to remember to put on my bib before going to this site. Coincidentally, I see you live in Scotland.  I'll be in your beautiful country on a self-guided single malt scotch tour in May, 2009.  What a small world!
 
And, Mica, you and your crew are simply phenomenal.  Thanks a bunch.

[oddmetersam]

Hi, funkyjazzjunky
She's a 35 scale Mark King deluxe.  The wood in question is BTC Cocobolo w/continuous wood truss rod cover & back plates. I've opted for 3-position Q switches and a bird of prey tailpiece.  Recessed strap locks will keep the body outline unbroken and there's no inlay on the fretboard except my mother's initials at the 12th fret.  String spacing will match my Spector NS2000 Q5. I play with the fingernails on my right (plucking) hand and decided on the ebony neck lam to add more deep bass punch.

[mica]

The inlays are in the bass, but I only got a chance to photograph 2 of the letters, sorry!
 

 
These are in the fingerboard now, along with the M. The bass is getting the last few coats of finish, and once in the drying area, I will take another picture with all the letters in situ.